*I know many are spun with a finer thread, and are not so far from the kingdom of God. But I must again warn you of staying in the suburbs of the city of refuge. O what pity is it that any should perish at the gates! That any should escape the pollutions of the world, and do many things, yea, and suffer too, and yet fall short of the glory of God! Oh ye halting Christians, that halt between Christ and the world, that are as _Ephraim_, like a cake not turned, dough-bak’d, professors, that have lamps without oil, that cry, Lord, Lord, but do not the will of our Father which is in heaven! How long will you stay in the place of the breaking forth of children! and stick between the womb and the world? Your religion will carry you from the profane, and ye own the people of the Lord. But godliness is a heart-work, it goes deep, and spreads far: unless the frame of your hearts, and the drift of your course be changed, unless you be universally conscientious, and unreservedly delivered up to the Lord for all times and conditions, whatever be the cost, you are none of Christ’s, how far soever you go in external performances. Hear then, O people, and let not an almost Christianity deceive you, or carry you blindfold to perdition. Oh the thousands, and ten thousands that have been undone by one of these! Ah, how often have you been warned against them, lest you should split against these dangerous rocks. O _Taunton_, _Taunton_, how often would God’s servants have gathered you, and you would not. But will you now? Will you _yet_ come in? I cannot forbear once more, even out of the prison, to call after poor sinners, and make one tender of mercy more. O come to the waters of life, wash you, make you clean.
But for you, whose hearts are set against every sin, and are resolved for God and holiness; you that experience a thorough change, and have respect to all God’s commandments, who will have none but God for your happiness, none but Christ for your treasure, that must and will have him, come what will come, blessed are ye of the Lord: O happy souls rejoice in the Lord, and again, I say, rejoice: let your souls magnify the Lord, and your spirits rejoice in God your Saviour. Live you a life of praise; you are highly favoured of the Lord, your lines are fallen in a pleasant place: only stick to your choice: beware lest any man beguile you of your reward: watch and keep your garments about you, lest you walk naked, and men see your shame. Many will be plucking to pull you out of Christ’s hands; but the harder they pluck, the harder do you cling, and cleave to him: blessed is he that overcometh.
And now the God of heaven fill you all with himself, and make all grace to abound in you, and toward you. May he be a sun to comfort you, and shine with his beams of grace and glory on you all: farewell in the Lord, I am,
_Your’s in the bonds of the gospel_,